Jacque Amadi, college student and owner of Lioness, a vintage e-boutique

College students have been finding innovative ways to make money since the birth of higher education. From waitressing weekends, to setting up salons in dorm rooms, hustling is just as much a part of the college experience as the classes themselves. Current students like University of Kansas senior, Jacque Amadi, are giving that hustler’s spirit a tech upgrade.

A psychology major and business minor, Jacque doesn’t have a resume that screams fashion. She dabbled in fashion blogging, but never thought to pursue it professionally. Her online boutique, Lioness, started as a celebration of her hobbies and interests, one she hoped would ease the financial woes that come with a college education.

“I would sell clothes on eBay whenever I needed money,” says Jacque. “And I love thrifting, even if I don’t keep what I find. With blogging and taking pictures – I loved doing it, but I was broke. So, I wanted to do all these things that I love in a way that could make me money.”

There’s one extra twist. Lioness is a digital time machine where the dial is always set to 1995. Jacque may be too young to remember the top news stories of the decade, but the images she saw as a child made a big impression on her.

“At first I was selling any vintage clothes I found, but then I decided to focus on the 90s because I felt that time period was the best time period for African Americans in terms of our exposure and our reach on television,” Jacque said.

It’s hard out here for a fashion diva. So many choices. Do I rock a turban? Remy weave? Matter of fact where is my Michael Kors bag? Let this fashion diva tell you just how hard it is out here in the style world in this hilarious video.

Source: monova.org

Both an actor and a lauded martial artist, Jim Kelly (James M. Kelly) is kind of a big deal. If you’ve ever seen Enter the Dragon (which might be the coolest Bruce Lee film ever), Black Samurai or his famous Blaxploitation flick Black Belt Jones, then you’ve also seen his killer afro and heard him say the classic line, “Man, you come right out of a comic book.” Not only was Kelly cooler than a polar bear’s toenail, he was cute, and he could kick anybody’s a**. Now that’s a man, baby! Get to know more about Mr. Kelly in this gallery!

Source: last.fm

“The Banana Boat Song” singer, actor, and social activist, Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr., has done it all in his 84 years. He served in World War II in the Navy, received a Tony Award for his work on Broadway, performed with Miles Davis and Charlie Parker, became pals with Sidney Poitier and Martin Luther King, Jr., kissed Miss Piggy, and so on and so forth. The strong civil rights activist has also been known for his good looks throughout the years, and we can understand why. Check out our gallery of Mr. Belafonte and I’m sure you’ll understand to! (*wink*)

Source: allstarpics.net

Black Caesar himself (literally)! This former football player, architect and actor was living it up big in the ’70s as a Blaxploitation star. From Black Caesar and Hell Up in Harlem, to Bucktown and both installments in the N***** Charley series, Williamson was everywhere. And he was also one of the few Blaxploitation stars to actually have success outside of that realm, working with Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn and with Ben Stiller in the Starsky & Hutch remake. He was also loved by a lot of the ladies, and even wound up posing in Playgirl to show off his manliness. If you hadn’t heard of him before, get to know this fella now!

You’ve got to love a man who is both conscious of things going on in the world around him, but also happens to be a stone cold fox. Marvin Pentz Gaye was all that and more during the 44 years he was on this earth gracing us with his musical talents and presence. While he was deemed by many as a major sex symbol in the ’60s and beyond, Gaye tried to move past that image to be seen as a true artist. However, he was able to be both whether he liked it or not: make music that mattered and remain a beautiful man. I’m a huge fan of Gaye’s music (“I Want You” and “After the Dance” are my jams!), so I’m excited to present to you this slideshow of the legendary crooner who sang about love in a way everyone could enjoy and respect. He seems perfect in getting prepared for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

Look at Gaye as a young boi (*in my Lauryn Hill voice*). Dashing good looks!

Haven’t heard of Calvin Lockhart? Well the Nassau, Bahamas-born actor with skin that The New York Times compared to brown velvet was a Broadway thesbian, a Blaxploitation star and a director. He’s been on and in everything from Cotton Comes to Harlem, the horror film The Beast Must Die, Uptown Saturday Night, and Coming to America of all things! On top of all that, as you can see, Lockhart was also an all-around FINE brotha. If you would like further proof of that, check his bad self out in our gallery.

The recessionista really does exist! She lives in every city and town in this country. Don’t believe us? Check out this slideshow of pieces she uses to spruce up her look… no faux designer purses necessary!

Read the rest of this entry »